Prince of Scandal

by Annie West

  ‘Excellent.’ He paused and she felt tension vibrate between them. ‘Though as soon as I arrived your chamberlain came to me.’

  Luisa frowned. Now she understood his disapproval. No doubt the official had poured out a litany of complaints. The man had been negative since she’d arrived.

  ‘I see.’ She breathed deep. She supposed she’d broken all sorts of rules. Now she had to face the music. But she refused to be intimidated. These were her decisions to make and she’d stick by them.

  She closed the door and walked into the room. She gestured to an armchair. Raul ignored it.

  ‘He voiced a number of concerns.’

  ‘I’m sure he did. What did he start with? The proposal to open the state reception rooms for public functions?’

  Raul shook his head, his saturnine eyebrows tilting down. ‘No. It was your plan to turn the Prince’s private apartments into a museum.’

  Luisa’s chin jerked up. ‘I’m never going to use them so they might as well be put to some use.’ She swept out a hand that encompassed her bright modern room with its view to the Alps. ‘This is more suitable for when I visit.’ She shuddered.

  ‘All that overdecorated pomposity downstairs is too much for me.’ Besides, the thought of bunking in her grandsire’s bed curdled her blood.

  ‘For us.’ Raul paced closer.

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘We’ll visit together in future.’

  What? He didn’t trust her now to come here without him? She drew herself up to her full height.

  ‘What else did he object to?’ Might as well get it over, though it stuck in her craw to defend her plans.

  Raul spread his arms in a gesture that drew her eyes to the expanse of his chest. She remembered his strength as he’d pulled her into his arms and taken her to heaven.

  Despite her anger, heat snaked through her belly.

  ‘He had a list. He was concerned about the plans for a children’s playgroup in the eastern annexe.’

  Luisa’s mouth tightened. ‘The premises are perfect and easily accessible from the main square. You might not know but in this part of the city there’s virtually no provision for community groups. It’s not like central Maritz where that’s well catered for.’

  It seemed her grandfather had stymied local plans to support the community, especially young people. His mindset had been rooted in the past.

  ‘And the cooking school?’

  She put her hands on her hips. ‘I found students visiting the old kitchens. Their premises had been damaged when the old wiring caused a fire. The palace chef offered temporary use of the kitchens here.’ Her lips firmed. ‘It’s a perfect match. The facilities are here, and the expertise for that matter. It’s not as if there are lots of state banquets since I’m not here permanently.’

  ‘And the same for the mechanics?’

  She stared. ‘How do you know about that?’ She’d just come from a meeting of vocational teachers in what had been the stables but now housed an automotive workshop.

  Raul stepped towards her and she read a flicker of something in his eyes that made the heat in her belly spread low and deep.

  He raised a hand to her cheek. Luisa shuddered as delicious sensation stirred. She didn’t want this distraction, this sweet reminder of the magic he wrought!

  ‘It was a guess.’ He held up his hand so she saw a dark stain. ‘Motor oil?’

  Her tongue thickened at his nearness. He was so close his body heat invaded her space.

  ‘We were checking the facilities and I got a little … involved.’

  Raul’s eyes narrowed. ‘I see. Like you got involved when you were presented with that cow?’

  Luisa clenched her hands rather than spread them in a pleading gesture. The press had had a field day with that and she’d avoided reading the paper for days since. One paper in particular delighted in portraying her as wilful and disrespectful, though most seemed positive.

  The animal had been beautiful, with garlands of flowers round its neck and horns and a huge alpine bell.

  ‘It was part of the official welcome to Ardissia. Lukas explained it was a sign of great respect from the rural population. I couldn’t refuse it!’

  ‘But did you have to milk it?’ His mouth tightened till the strain showed at his jaw.

  She shrugged, feeling hemmed in by his disapproval. ‘OK, so it wasn’t proper protocol. I know real princesses wouldn’t dream of it. But we got talking about dairy cattle and suddenly they offered me a milking stool and a bucket and …’ She threw up her hands. ‘So sue me! You insisted I do this. Don’t complain now that I’m unorthodox. I’m trying. And—’ she jabbed a finger into his pristine shirt ‘—while I’m happy to hear suggestions about these ideas for the palace, it’s ultimately my decision. No one else’s!’

  ‘Exactly what I told your chamberlain.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Luisa was so dazed she barely noticed Raul had closed his hand around her prodding finger.

  ‘I told him to keep his thoughts to himself until he had a chance to share them with you.’

  Luisa stared. ‘You don’t mind?’

  His nostrils flared. ‘I mind very much being accosted by a jumped-up official who bad-mouths his employer behind her back. And I’m furious.’

  Her shoulders sank. Here it came.

  ‘Furious I didn’t have the right to fire the troublemaker on the spot. He’s your employee but he’s more concerned about his own prestige than his job!’

  ‘Raul?’ Only now did she notice his other arm had slipped round to drag her close. She inhaled his intoxicating scent. It was like reliving those intense dreams that had haunted her ever since she’d come here.

  ‘It’s your decision, Luisa. But you need to consider finding someone better. Someone who can work with you on your plans rather than thwart them.’

  She locked her knees against the trembling that started somewhere near her heart and spread to her limbs.

  ‘You don’t mind what I’ve been doing?’ She’d been so sure of his disapproval her brain struggled with any other explanation for his tight-lipped expression.

  ‘Why should I mind?’ He rubbed her back in a circling motion that eased muscles drawn to breaking point. ‘It’s good to see you getting involved and listening to your people. I’m proud of what you’ve tackled in such a short space of time. But you’re sensible enough to take advice and not rush into anything without due consideration.’

  She blinked, staring up into dark green eyes that glimmered with warmth. The shock of it nearly undid her.

  After the chamberlain’s starchy disapproval and the knowledge her grandfather would roll in his grave at her plans for his precious palace, she hadn’t been surprised to read criticism in Raul’s expression.

  Except now she couldn’t find it.

  A wave of warmth crashed over her that had nothing to do with Raul’s nearness. It stemmed from an inner glow, knowing he’d stood up for her with the chamberlain.

  That he was ready to support her.

  That he seemed to care.

  She put out another trembling hand to his chest, spreading her fingers to capture the steady beat of his heart. His arm tightened around her and he leaned close.

  ‘But what I most want to know, wife, is what the mayor said when you presented him with a bucket of warm milk.’

  Again she caught that flicker in his eyes, the tightening of his lips. This time she realised what it was.

  Raul trying not to laugh.

  ‘He was very impressed and told me I had hidden talents.’ Her mouth twitched. ‘Then he showed me an old local technique he reckons gives you a better grip.’

  Raul’s face creased into a smile, then a grin. He tipped his head back and released a deep infectious laugh that made her lips curve and her heart dance.

  Deep within Luisa something relaxed, unfurled and spread.

  Happiness.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THAT happiness stayed. It was like a glowing ember, war
ming her from the inside and thawing the chill that had gripped her so long.

  With each week Luisa found herself more content. She grew fond of her new home and its people. The nation of Maritz and even its tiny principality of Ardissia that she’d recalled as a nightmare place from her youth were growing more like home. She could be happy here.

  Then there was Raul. He could be gentle and tender but there was always an undercurrent of explosive passion between them that left her breathless. Luisa shivered as erotic memories surfaced. Their physical intimacy was out of this world, and she always felt she got close then to the real man behind the façade.

  The man she wanted to know better.

  Raul was a loner. No wonder, with such a regimented childhood, brought up by staff rather than doting parents. Then there was his father’s betrayal with the woman Raul had fallen for.

  He’d spent so long cutting himself off from emotional connections; the moments when he let down his guard with her were special, poignantly precious.

  More and more, Raul shared his wry wit, surprising her into giggles of shock or delight. The last thing she’d expected from the man who’d married her to claim the crown.

  But as she watched him work tirelessly for his country, every day and into the night, and saw his people respond to him, she knew he was the right man for the job.

  Luisa’s anger over his ruthless actions was now strangely muted. She knew Raul wasn’t the unfeeling villain she’d once painted him. In some ways he was as much a victim of circumstance as she. A wounded man who hid his vulnerability behind a façade.

  She felt melancholy. For, despite the way he stood up for her, supporting her sometimes unorthodox approach to her royal duties, she could never forget that for him she was an unwanted wife.

  The wife he had to have.

  A sweet ache pierced her and she pressed a hand to her chest. She hitched a breath and stared blindly at the newspaper on the desk before her.

  It hurt because, even knowing Raul made the best of their convenient marriage, Luisa had done the unthinkable.

  She’d fallen in love.

  Despite the pain, happiness bubbled. Ripples of delight shivered through her till she trembled.

  Love was such a big emotion. It overcame the fears plaguing her.

  Surely there was a way she could make this marriage work? Make him care for her the way she cared for him?

  ‘Sitting alone, Luisa?’ Raul’s voice made her jump and turn. Her heart kicked as she took in his tall frame, his sculpted features and the flare of heat in his eyes.

  She yearned to throw herself into his embrace. Declare her feelings and demand he love her too.

  If only it were that simple.

  She sat where she was, limbs stiffening as she strove not to give herself away. He’d be horrified if he guessed her feelings. She had to be calm while inside she was a nervous jumble of joy and fear and tentative hope.

  ‘My language lesson’s over and I was trying to read the paper.’ She twisted her fingers together and looked down, choosing an article at random. ‘There’s a picture of you but the words are too difficult.’

  He stood behind her. She knew from the way her flesh prickled. Her body possessed radar tuned solely to Raul. Whenever he approached, even when he watched her from the other side of a crowded reception, Luisa felt it.

  ‘It’s a court report. Why not try something simpler?’ His words were a puff of warmth at her ear as he leaned in.

  Luisa shut her eyes, willing him to forget the paper and slide his arms around her.

  ‘Luisa?’

  She snapped her eyes open. ‘What’s the article about?’ She didn’t care but she had to say something.

  ‘Just the trial of people illegally stockpiling banned weapons. Why don’t we—’

  ‘But why were you a witness?’ She’d finally made sense of the caption.

  ‘It’s not that exciting.’

  She frowned, finally concentrating on the piece. ‘It says something about an armed raid. And a plot. A coup.’ That word was familiar. She pointed at the next paragraph. ‘What’s that word?’

  A sigh riffled her hair. He hesitated so long she wondered if he’d answer. ‘Assassination.’

  Luisa swung round, shock widening her eyes.

  ‘Who did they want to assassinate?’ Ice froze her feet, her legs, creeping upwards as she read resignation in Raul’s expression.

  Surely it couldn’t have been …

  ‘The cabinet. As many government officials as they could.’ He straightened and stepped away and she felt bereft. She pushed back her chair and stood on shaky legs.

  ‘And the Prince?’ The words were a brittle rasp from her constricting throat. ‘They wanted to kill you?’

  To her horror he didn’t deny it, merely lifted his shoulders. ‘Don’t worry, Luisa, it was over weeks ago, when you went to Ardissia.’

  The glacial frost encroached to her heart and she wrapped her arms around herself. ‘You didn’t tell me.’

  He strode to her and rubbed his hands over her rigid arms. ‘You have nothing to fear, honestly. It’s all over.’

  ‘You think I’m worried for myself?’

  Raul’s eyes widened and for an instant she saw a flicker of shock. Then he drew her close. Beneath her ear she heard the strong beat of his heart. Her hands slid under his jacket, palming the muscled heat of his torso.

  He was so alive. So vibrant. If anything happened to him …

  Terror was a jagged blade, slicing through her.

  This was the downside of love. She cared so much for Raul the thought of losing him was impossible to bear.

  He moved to step back but she burrowed closer. His arms tightened till she felt cocooned and safe.

  ‘Listen, Luisa. It really is over. These were just a handful of the lunatic fringe. The police had monitored them for some time so there was no danger. In fact their schemes have done everyone a favour.’

  ‘How?’ She arched back to meet his eyes.

  ‘I told you there’d been unrest. It got worse in the final stages of my father’s reign.’ Raul paused before finally continuing.

  ‘There were limits to what I could achieve as prince. In the last years as his marriage deteriorated, he became … erratic. He let his cronies grab too much power and didn’t think strategically about the nation’s well-being. Power blocs have been vying for position.’

  ‘Lukas said you’d worked to keep the peace.’

  ‘Did he? It looked at one stage as if the various parties might tear the country apart. The news that unstable elements saw that as an opportunity for a bloodbath made them all rethink and realise how important our peace and democracy are. It’s brought them back to the negotiating table.’ He smoothed his hand over her hair in a gentle caress.

  ‘When the coronation takes place and parliament resumes, we’ll be working together.’

  ‘But what about—’

  A finger against her lips stopped her words. ‘It’s nothing to concern you.’ He turned to the newspaper. ‘Let me find you something easier to read.’

  Luisa’s mind whirled. Raul had been in danger for his life. She’d assumed his talk of protecting the country was exaggerated to cover his desire to inherit.

  Her stomach hollowed, realising how serious the situation had been. That she might have lost him.

  That he hadn’t considered sharing even a little of the truth with her. Even now he didn’t want her to know.

  And she’d thought they’d been building a rapport!

  Raul might support her attempts to become a princess. He might take her to paradise with his body. But as for sharing anything more significant … How could she pretend it was possible when he kept so much from her?

  Pain twisted to raw anguish in Luisa’s heart. Even if he didn’t carry a torch for Ana, his distrust was so ingrained Luisa saw now her chances of truly connecting with him were doomed.

  He was a man she could love. The man she did love—strong,
caring, capable and tender. But she knew no way to breach the final brittle shell of reserve he wore like armour. The shell that kept them apart even when she’d imagined they shared more and more.

  She’d fooled herself, believing that after their time together he’d begun to feel something for her too.

  He wouldn’t want to hear her declaration of love.

  He didn’t want to share himself.

  How would he react if she told him she suspected he’d shared enough of himself to create a child with her?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ‘THIS way, Your Highness.’

  Raul followed the urban planner across waste ground, listening to him extol the virtues of the site that would become a community garden. Another of Luisa’s projects.

  It had merely taken mention of unused public land in a disadvantaged area for Luisa to find a use for it. Castle staff lent expertise to help the community build a place to meet, play and grow food. But it was Luisa, with Lukas’ help, who’d checked zoning restrictions, negotiated with the council and met with residents.

  His wife had extraordinary organisational skills, honed keeping a struggling business afloat. He’d seen with pleasure how she put those skills to use in Ardissia and here in the capital.

  Raul admired her practicality, her drive to make things better.

  Who’d have thought a girl off the farm would be such a success? She was a breath of fresh air, cutting through hidebound protocol with a smile, yet sensitive enough to see when tradition was necessary.

  People loved her, drawn by her charm and warmth, and the royal fairy tale romance was a source of real pleasure after difficult political times.

  Raul urged the planner towards the group at the centre of the site. Luisa was there, wearing her trademark casual chic clothes. He stifled a smile, seeing a couple of girls in almost matching gear.

  Luisa’s couture gowns were seen now only at formal functions. Instead she’d set her own trend, the first Maritzian royal to wear casual clothes to meet the people. But on Luisa casual looked so good. Today she wore slim-fitting jeans, low-heeled boots of supple scarlet and a matching jacket over a white top.